Application of GPS guidance to mechanized site preparation in forestry plantations: a precision forestry approach

By Steve Husband 

(Paper proposed for 10th International Conference

on Precision Agriculture 2010)

ABSTRACT

This paper examines application of precision agriculture and GPS guidance technology to mechanized site preparation in forestry plantations. There has been no research published to date on applying GPS guidance technology and software to site preparation in forestry plantations, despite clear similarities between plantation forestry and broad-acre agriculture applications of GPS guidance. The research setting is the Fraser Coast region of South East Queensland, Australia, and the Pinus plantations in this region managed by Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ). A literature review is combined with data collected from interviews with forestry operational staff, researchers, precision agriculture consultants and spatial information specialists. Potential economic, environmental, human and management benefits in applying GPS guidance and associated systems to plantation site preparation are identified. The paper concludes that definitive cost/benefit analysis and technical evaluation of GPS automatic (and visual) guidance systems in plantation site preparation should be determined by field trial. GPS guidance of site preparation in forestry plantations can help meet key objectives of precision forestry in terms of sustainable forest management, commercial objectives, and increasing environmental and social constraints.